What We've Been Told

Bernie's Insiders

08/10/2005

By now, you've read that Braylon Edwards has agreed to a contract (for real this time) with the Cleveland Browns (no, really, it's a done deal). Here's what we've been told about what was behind Wednesday night's multiple changes of heart...

The rollercoaster ride is finally coming to a full stop.

Was it fun for you, too?

Over the past week, one media outlet after another has falsely reported
that first-round draft pick Braylon Edwards had agreed to a deal with the
Cleveland Browns.

It is an annual news story that again this year lacked suspense, barring a complete and
utter brain malfunction on the part of Edwards, his representatives, and the
Cleveland Browns organization. Braylon Edwards was going to be signed and
was going to play for the Browns in 2005. The only question was how long it
would take to negotiate, and how it would effect the team's salary cap.

Again this year, we watched news organizations racing to be the first
to report an item of news which, as any businessman could tell you, isn't
really news until the contract is signed or, if you're especially cynical,
until the first check clears the bank.

We're not sure who won that race. Nor do we care.

The important thing is this: BerniesInsiders.com has confirmed this
evening, along with Fox Sports, that Braylon Edwards has indeed agreed in
principle to a five-year deal with the team. This is the first, and only,
time that we're going to report this information.

So, take it that it is "unofficially" done. It won't be truly done until
Edwards comes to Berea, signs the contract, puts on a uniform, and hits the
playing field. If you want to track the mechanics of that, it will
undoubtedly be presented breathlessly by one of the local media outlets.

To us, the most interesting part of this particular drama occurred on
Wednesday night, when Edwards and agent Lamont Smith bolted Berea, and
claimed to be leaving town. Smith, however, stayed on the phone with Berea
and continued to negotiate the deal.

BerniesInsiders.com can confirm that marketing issues,
as
reported by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, were the reason for the delay in
getting the contract signed. We can also provide some additional information
based on What We've Been Told.

An NFL source told Bernie's Insiders on Wednesday night that "Edwards
wants to get as much (marketing-related income) as he can. The team wants to
have say in it, which is (nonsense)".

The source told Bernie's Insiders that Glazer's report pointing to
marketing issues was accurate, but that the issue is "more complicated" than
what has appeared in the press.

The issue the Browns have with any player marketing is the potential to
cast the organization in a negative light. We have learned that, in this
case, the Browns will be involved in the process, but that Edwards has the
right and ability to be marketed in a manner which he sees fit.

Contractually, there is a morals clause which gives the team some
recourse in the event Edwards engages in marketing activities which cast the
team in a poor light.

This, according to our sources, is what came out of the commotion on
Wednesday night, and how the issue has been resolved.

And now, when the noise dies down, we can return to the game of football,
which Romeo Crennel and his team is prepared to play this coming Saturday
night at Cleveland Browns Stadium.